Every South African franchise will benefit from the Lions non-participation in this year’s Super Rugby.

The core of the 2012 Lions squad, 16 in total, will play Super Rugby this season. Wikus van Heerden and Cobus Grobbelaar have retired, Josh Strauss and Jacobie Adriaanse have gone to Scotland and Wales respectively, veteran Doppies la Grange is with Italian club Treviso and Etienne Oosthuizen will play for the Brumbies.

The Stormers and Bulls, with five Lions each, are the biggest winners.